The Sweetness of the Seventies
Chapter 185 Zhou Yuanyuan_1

Chapter 185: Chapter 185 Zhou Yuanyuan_1

Seeing his elder brother with such a pitiful look, Huo Yingjie’s conscience stirred under Huo Yingjun’s gaze, and he gave a couple of dry coughs.

"Grandpa, if Brother wanted to choose a different girl, he would have done so long ago," Huo Yingjie said, "Since he’s been going in circles for so many years and still can’t let go, that means he truly likes her. In that case, Grandpa and Grandma need to put in more effort. After all, our aunt is an elder, and Brother, as the younger one, shouldn’t contradict her directly. But if you say a few good words, that would make a difference."

Old Master Huo listened, smiled faintly and responded, "Ah, you young people! Well, let it be. Your grandma and I will talk to your mother about this, so you don’t have to worry all the time."

With Grandpa’s words, Huo Yingjun seemed as if he had taken a reassuring pill, and he repeatedly thanked, "Thank you so much, Grandpa."

Huo Zheqian saw how his son was behaving and felt a mix of frustration and amusement.

"You good-for-nothing," Huo Zheqian scolded, "I hope you’re not this indecisive at work!"

"Father, I won’t be, definitely not," Huo Yingjun assured, feeling very happy that he had found a solution for his personal problems.

On New Year’s Eve, the whole family gathered together. Although it wasn’t as lively as before, everyone had managed to overcome numerous setbacks and was still doing well, which was truly remarkable.

Huo Yingjun’s mother, under the persuasion of his grandparents, had come to accept Zhao Huanhuan.

Grandma Huo was both surprised and curious when she heard Huo Yingjie had a girlfriend and asked, "What sort of girl is she? Do you have a photo?"

Huo Yingjie pulled out a photo from his pocket and said, "I have a photo, she’s really pretty to look at, your future granddaughter-in-law!"

Jiang Lifang was proudly beaming; her son’s taste was impeccable. Tiantian was not only beautiful but also especially good-natured, far gentler than Zhao Huanhuan.

Huo Yingqi, upon hearing her brother had a partner, was also astonished and hurriedly ran over, crowding next to Grandma and saying, "I want to see too, I want to see..."

Grandma Huo put on her reading glasses and looked carefully at the photo Huo Yingjie brought out, nodding and commenting, "This girl looks spirited, and she’s young, isn’t she?"

"Mum, you’re right, this girl is named He Tiantian, she’s our neighbor, and she and Yingjie grew up together. She’s sixteen this year, three years younger than Yingjie," Jiang Lifang explained, "Her parents are also intellectuals, researchers. That girl is extremely capable; ever since she came back from the countryside, our family of three has been eating at the He family’s home. It’s all cooked by her, and the taste is exceptionally good."

Sister-in-law Huo initially thought that the girl was from an ordinary family while Zhao Huanhuan was a hero’s descendant and couldn’t compare to her future daughter-in-law’s background. Now hearing that she was from a family of scholars and was also beautiful and good-natured, rivaling Zhao Huanhuan as a suitable daughter-in-law, she felt unbalanced once more.

However, she had already agreed to Grandma’s request, so she couldn’t go back on her word now. As for the future, well, that would depend on whether Zhao Huanhuan knew her place!

Huo Yingqi, seeing the photo of the very pretty girl, became even more anxious and asked, "Second Brother, what about Zhou Yuanyuan then?"

"Zhou Yuanyuan?" Huo Yingjie was puzzled, "Who’s that?"

The crowd was taken aback; they knew Zhou Yuanyuan as the child from the Zhou family nearby, but they were unaware of any connection between her and Huo Yingjie.

"Second Brother, how can you not remember Yuanyuan?" Huo Yingqi said angrily, "She’s the Zhou Yuanyuan from the Zhou family in front of our house, who confessed her feelings to you last year."

"Oh..." Huo Yingjie suddenly realized, "That little brat, I already gave her a clear rejection at that time."

"Second Brother..." Huo Yingqi became even angrier upon hearing Brother Yingjie speak like this, "Second Brother, Yuanyuan is so wonderful; how could you reject her? To leave a good impression on you, she specially made clothes to come see you!"

Hearing this, Huo Yingjie couldn’t help but scoff, "Huo Yingqi, let me say it again, I have nothing to do with Zhou Yuanyuan. No matter how nice she is, what does it have to do with me? Don’t mention her in front of me in the future. I have someone now and won’t take an interest in others. If you see me as your second brother, don’t elbow me out."

Sister-in-law Huo understood and thought that her daughter was too interfering. Besides, her nephew Huo Yingjie was very decisive and would never accept someone he did not like.

"Yingqi, don’t say those things anymore. No matter how good Yuanyuan is, she has nothing to do with your Second Brother. Moreover, your closeness with Yuanyuan is another matter; you can’t start yelling at your Second Brother because of an outsider. What would people think?"

Huo Zheqian also felt that his daughter was wrong and said, "Your Second Brother’s marriage is managed by your grandparents, your second uncle, and second aunt. As a sister, it’s not your place to interfere."

Jiang Lifang was also a bit angry, but since the elder brother and sister-in-law had already spoken, she felt it inappropriate to scold Huo Yingqi further.

"Big Brother, Sister-in-law, don’t be too hard on Yingqi; she’s just concerned about Yingjie," Jiang Lifang said with a smile, "As for matters of the heart, it comes down to the feelings of both individuals. You see, your Second Brother has someone he likes, and your second uncle and I really like the person he’s interested in, so let’s not bring up Yuanyuan again in the future."

Huo Yingqi, blushing with shame after being scolded by everyone, realized her misconduct, yet she felt mostly indignant for her good friend. Why couldn’t Second Brother just like Yuanyuan, who was so cute and kind?

"Oh!" exclaimed Huo Yingqi, dejectedly, "I understand now."

Despite the unpleasant episode, it soon passed, and the atmosphere in the Huo family was still good.

On the first day of the new year, people started arriving early to pay their New Year’s visits.

Zhou Yuanyuan and her family came too, and seeing Huo Yingjie, she shyly presented a deep blue scarf, whispering, "Brother Yingjie, I knit this scarf for you. It’s very soft and warm."

Huo Yingjie, who was preoccupied with brewing tea, looked up to see the bashful Zhou Yuanyuan and then at the scarf, saying, "I’m not cold, and I don’t like wearing scarves."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yuanyuan widened her eyes and hurriedly explained, "Brother Yingjie, I didn’t mean anything else, just that the weather is really cold, and I thought the scarf would keep you warmer."

"I know you meant nothing by it, but we’re both grown up now; we have to avoid impropriety, especially your scarf. If people found out you gave me a scarf, they could misunderstand. I already have someone, and I don’t want any misperceptions spreading." Huo Yingjie refused directly, trying to be patient and hoping she would understand.

Huo Yingqi’s behavior yesterday and Zhou Yuanyuan’s today made Huo Yingjie decide to speak the unvarnished truth, to reject firmly, without any ambiguity, and not to give anyone unrealistic hopes.

Zhou Yuanyuan had not expected Huo Yingjie to be so heartless, and to say such things in front of everyone! In fact, she had her own desires secretly.